Town of East Granby Budget is Approved at Referendum

The East Granby Budget Referendum was held on Tuesday, May 6, 2014.  The Annual Budget for the Fiscal Year beginning July 1, 2014 through June 30, 2015 was approved with 357 yes votes and 334 no votes as reported by the Town Clerk, Sheila Bailey.  A total of 694 residents voted out of 3398 eligible voters for a 20% turnout.

The adopted FY15 budget is in the amount of $4,436,000 for the General Government; $15,125,000 for the Board of Education; $691,013 for Debt Service; $450,000 for the Capital Reserve Fund; totaling $20,702,013.

There were two advisory, non-binding questions as follows:
Question 1 - "In your opinion is the General Government Budget in the amount of $4,436,000, an increase of 2.1% for FY 2014/2015, too low or too high? 240 voted too low and 372 voted too high
Question 2 - "In your opinion is the Board of Education Budget in the amount of $15,125,000, an increase of 3.1% for FY 2014/2015, too low or too high?" 265 voted too low and 381 voted too high.

The Board of Finance met on Tuesday evening after the referendum and set the new mill rate at 29.8. Previously the Board of Finance had explained that the current year's mill rate is 28.2 and every five years properties get revalued.  As a result of the October 2013 revaluation, to raise the same amount of revenue as in the current fiscal year, the break even mill rate would have been 29.07.  The new mill rate of 29.8 is an increase of 2.5% over the base tax rate resulting from revaluation.

As a result of the 2013 revaluation, town residents were previously notified that the value of their real estate decreased an average of 7.4% from the last revaluation in 2008. The net effect of revaluation and the new mill rate will be one where most residents will see their new residential tax bill decrease over the current year.

For more information contact the Selectmen's Office at 860-653-2576.